CARF Canada 101: Achieving and Maintaining CARF Accreditation in BH/CYS/ECS
2026-04-21 09:00 - 2026-04-22 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 5K3, Canada
New to CARF accreditation? Thinking about an upcoming resurvey? Wondering how to promote a culture of quality improvement in your organization?

Attend this interactive, two-day training session to learn valuable tips and tricks for getting organized, planning for an on-site survey, and managing outcomes. Emphasis will be placed on areas in which organizations most often need guidance to conform to the standards.

In addition to participating in a combined learning environment, you will have the opportunity to attend focused breakout sessions that cater to your specific level of experience with CARF. Session options include preparing for your first survey, or refining your current practices.

If you are new to accreditation, you will receive:

Information on the CARF accreditation process and what happens during a survey.

Helpful tips in preparing for your first CARF survey.

If you have already been through the accreditation process or attended CARF 101 trainings, you will receive:

An overview of significant changes to the manuals, including new programs and standards.

A discussion of the most commonly missed CARF standards.

Examples of effective business management and service delivery practices.

All participants will receive practical examples of conformance to the standards; hands-on support with developing and implementing plans, policies, and procedures; and a review of the 2026 standards and ASPIRE to Excellence® quality framework.

This training will be presented by Penny Gagnon, CARF’s chief accreditation advisor and Warren Helfrich, Ph.D., CARF surveyor. Both presenters will be available during breaks and at the end of both days to answer individual questions and provide additional support.

Training materials will be emailed to each registrant one week prior to the training event. For more information, click on the Training Material tab.

All presentations and materials are provided in English.

Register by April 13, 2026, 11:45 p.m. P.T.

Surveyor registration is complimentary.

CARF Canada Advanced Performance Measurement
2026-05-20 09:00 - 2026-05-21 16:30 (America/Phoenix) | Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B5K3, Canada
Advanced Performance Measurement is an interactive two-day training session designed for organizations seeking CARF accreditation for the first time or who are already accredited and want to strengthen and enhance their existing performance measurement and improvement systems. It is recommended for senior managers, program managers, quality improvement coordinators, and direct service providers who play a role in planning, monitoring, or reporting on organizational performance.

This training helps organizations ground their systems in theory to apply both quantitative and qualitative approaches to performance measurement and improvement. Throughout the training, participants set the stage for building a performance management system by reflecting on their current practices and perspectives, then gain context through an overview of the origins and intent of CARF’s performance measurement standards and how they connect to broader quality improvement. From there, they work step by step on developing a performance measurement and management plan, with opportunities for practical guidance and peer exchange. The Walker Grid Program Evaluation Planning Framework is introduced as a tool to support systematic planning and evaluation, and participants begin building their own version tailored to their organization. Finally, the workshop emphasizes how to interpret results and transform them into a focused quality improvement plan, linking data collection and analysis directly to actionable strategies that drive accountability and better outcomes.

Through the training, participants will develop:

An understanding of how to define meaningful performance measures at both an organizational and program/service level.

The skills necessary to design and implement a detailed measurement plan.

The ability to design data collection tools to measure performance.

The ability to analyze data and create impactful performance reports that conform to the CARF standards and support quality improvement efforts.

In addition to the focus on CARF performance measurement requirements, the course will present key approaches commonly used by quality assurance professionals in their pursuit of quality. Examples include logic models, dashboards, and scorecards.

Although not a requirement, it is recommended that you bring a laptop to the workshop. Some supplemental resources and examples are provided electronically, and some exercises allow participants to practice using tools such as Microsoft® Excel® and survey writing software.

Training materials will be emailed to each registrant one week prior to the training event. For more information, click on the Training Material tab.

All presentations and materials are provided in English.

Register by May 12, 2026 11:45 p.m. PT

CARF 101: Achieving and Maintaining Accreditation in Behavioral Health
2026-06-03 08:30 - 2026-06-04 16:30 (America/Phoenix) | Hyatt Regency Columbus, 350 N High Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215, United States
Registration opens March 13, 2026.

This two-day in-person session provides a solid foundation for organizations preparing for first-time CARF accreditation and those looking for a refresher. Participants will receive an introduction to CARF’s peer-review approach, learn how to navigate the standards manual, and gain valuable insights into the survey process and what to expect.

The training includes a comprehensive review of the standards that comprise the ASPIRE to Excellence® quality framework, which reflects a logical and action-oriented approach to support continuous improvement in business management and service delivery; and the Section 2 standards, which support the active participation of persons served in the planning, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of the services offered, as well as a commitment to quality outcomes. An overview of program standards is also included, with discussion of practical examples of conformance. Participants will have the opportunity to hear about examples and best practices for standards implementation, connect with training faculty one-on-one, and network and exchange insights with other provider participants.

A standards manual is highly recommended for this training. Event attendees will receive a coupon code for a 15% discount on CARF publications after registering for this event. Please contact your designated resource specialist if you are unsure which standards manual to purchase.

Each registrant will receive training materials and a link to resources and sample documents via email, one week prior to the training event. For more information, click on the Training Material tab.

All presentations and materials are provided in English.

CARF 101: Achieving and Maintaining Accreditation in Behavioral Health
2026-10-22 08:30 - 2026-10-23 16:30 (America/Phoenix) | Las Vegas, NV, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Registration opens June 26, 2026.

This two-day in-person session provides a solid foundation for organizations preparing for first-time CARF accreditation and those looking for a refresher. Participants will receive an introduction to CARF’s peer-review approach, learn how to navigate the standards manual, and gain valuable insights into the survey process and what to expect.

The training includes a comprehensive review of the standards that comprise the ASPIRE to Excellence® quality framework, which reflects a logical and action-oriented approach to support continuous improvement in business management and service delivery; and the Section 2 standards, which support the active participation of persons served in the planning, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of the services offered, as well as a commitment to quality outcomes. An overview of program standards is also included, with discussion of practical examples of conformance. Participants will have the opportunity to hear about examples and best practices for standards implementation, connect with training faculty one-on-one, and network and exchange insights with other provider participants.

A standards manual is highly recommended for this training. Event attendees will receive a coupon code for a 15% discount on CARF publications after registering for this event. Please contact your designated resource specialist if you are unsure which standards manual to purchase.

Each registrant will receive training materials and a link to resources and sample documents via email, one week prior to the training event. For more information, click on the Training Material tab.

All presentations and materials are provided in English.
